(L-R) Head coach Mike McCoy of the San Diego Chargers congratulates Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers after an interception against the Chicago Bears at Qualcomm Stadium on November 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers and Patrick Robinson #26 of the San Diego Chargers tackle Spencer Ware #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of a game at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

(L-R) Head coach Mike McCoy of the San Diego Chargers congratulates Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers after an interception against the Chicago Bears at Qualcomm Stadium on November 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers runs back an interception for a touchdown while pursued by Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Chicago Bears at Qualcomm Stadium on November 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Brandon McManus #8 of the Denver Broncos kicks a field goal as Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos, James Ferentz #53 of the Denver Broncos block Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers during the third quarter of a game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 6, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Cornerback Jason Verrett #22 of the San Diego Chargers runs with the ball after an interception during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G Aiken/Getty Images)

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SANTA CLARA — Cornerback Jason Verrett said his “body feels good,” and that could make his signing Thursday with the 49ers a very good thing for a suspect secondary.

Verrett’s tenure with the Chargers was waylaid by shoulder and knee injuries, and just when he was ready to return to form last season, he tore an Achilles at the start of training camp.

“A lot of dark moments dealing with a lot of the injuries, but I came out the tunnel and I’m ready to get things rolling,” said Verrett, who nixed visits to the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs after the 49ers won him over with a one-year, $3.6 million contract.

The 49ers further addressed their secondary by re-signing safeties Jimmie Ward and Antone Exum, although neither has yet arrived at the team facility to sign their deals, for $5 million and $895,000, respectively, per ESPN.

“The opportunity is there for me, wide open. It’s just for me to take,” said Verrett, who made the Pro Bowl his second season with the Chargers in 2016.

“My body feels good and I’m on track with the way my Achilles is healing.”

Sherman returned last year from a 2017 Achilles tear, and Verrett looks forward to learning all he can about his comeback.

General manager John Lynch said Verrett can play both outside and in the slot, although Verrett noted he’s played throughout his career on the outside. Verrett’s 5-foot-10 frame is not as big as the 49ers typical seek, and he responded by saying: “I’ve played in the league, made plays in the league, played against guys big and small, and if you can ball, you can ball.”

Verrett is a Fairfield native who grew up a Raiders fan and has now come around to the Niners.

“It’s a surreal moment,” Verrett said. “You grew up watching these teams and now to put on that uniform, it’s special.”

Ward’s comeback could result in the starting role at free safety.

“If he can stay healthy, and we’ll give him every chance to, we know we’ve got as good as a safety as we can get,” Shanahan said.

Aside from Ward and Exum, the 49ers passed on other safeties in free agency to compete with Adrian Colbert and D.J. Reed.

“Exum did a heck of a job last year playing a position he hadn’t before, really stepped it up and got better each game,” Shanahan said.

“Jimmie Ward has played at an extremely high level throughout his career when he’s been healthy,” Shanahan said. “We all know he’s struggled to stay healthy. It’s been unfortunate for him. He plays hard, he’s very talented and that’s why it’s been very hard for him to go out and get (the contract) he deserves as a player.”